Boiler tube cleaner



Sept. 13, 1932. F, H, OLE 1,877,267

BO'ILER' TUBE, CLEANER Filed Dec. 29, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l BOILEB TUBECLEANER Filed Dec. .29, 1930 5 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mm,

' zQQATTORN p 13, 3 F. H. COLE 1,877,267 Q BOILER TUBE CLEANEfi FiledDec. 29. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet- 3 Patented Sept. 13, 1932 QNITED staresFRANK II. COLEOF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS BOILER I TUBE CLEANERApplication, filerl December 29, 1930. Serial No. 505,405.

This invention relates to boiler tube cleaners and is more especiallyconcerned with cleaners of the general type disclosed in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 308,300,

filed September 25, 1928.

The cleaner shown in said application comprises a nozzle head withconnections for con ducting steam to it, a series of nozzles projectingfrom said head and arranged to be alined with the boiler tubes, andmeans for traversing said head and the nozzles carried thereby to directjets of steam into the tubes and thus to blow the soot and ash out ofthem. v This mechanism has proved exceptionally satisfactory in practiceand the present invention aims further to improve and perfect boilertube cleaners of this general type with aview especially to facilitatingthe installation of the cleaner, and reducing the expense ofmanufacture.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood fromthe followingdescription when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, andthe novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a boiler cleaner constructed inaccordance with this invention; 1

Fig.2 is a vertical, sectional View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating details of construction; I

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse, longitudinal and sectional views,respectively, of parts of the mechanism for traversing the nozzle head;and p Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, il-

lustrating the relationship between the thrust bar and the nozzle head.I

The boiler cleaner is shown installed in a fire tube boiler or a commontype comprising a casing 2, a tube sheet 3, fire tubes 4, and smoke box5. The nozzle head isindicated at 6' and it carries a vertical series ofnozzles ,7 which are located, respectivelyfin the h'oriz'ontal planes ofthe center lines ofithe tube s. Steam is conducted to the head 6througha series of pipe connections 8 which are pivoted together so asto permit the traversing movement of the head 6, the flow of steamthrough these connections being controlled by a supply valve (not shown)which is customarily located outside of the boiler casing. In thisrespect the arrangement may be similar to that disclosed in my priorpatent No.

The nozzle head 6 depends vertically from, j

and is supported by, a slide 10 to which the flexible steam conductingpipe 8 also is con- 'nected. This slide is mounted to run on a track '12which preferably consists of a channel bar supported in an invertedposition}- that is, with its grooved side downward. Side pieces 1313 arebolted to the opposite sides of the slide 10' and are bentover attheirupper ends to rest on the upper flat surface For the purpose oftraversing the slide 10 and nozzle head 6, a screw threaded's-haft 14:

is locatedhorizontally in the groove of the channel bar 12, one endof'this shaft being supported in a bearing block 15, Fig. 1,

and 5,:which is provided with lugs 17 17 that extend into sockets in theslide 10 so that the slide is compelled to move in unison with the block16. These parts 10, 13 and 16 may 'of the track or channelbar 12 so thatthe sl1de 10 1S,1I1 effect, suspended on the track.

be said to form a carriage on which the nozzle 7 head is supported. At apoint, outside the boiler casing the shaft 14 is equipped with asprocket wheel 18 over'which a chain 19 runs for the purpose ofenablin'ga workman to revolv'e the shaft. This motion of the shaftoperates through the nut 16 to traverse the carriage 10 and nozzle head6 backward and forward, thedirection of movement of these partsdepending upon the direction of rota tion of the shaft. During thismovement the edgesof the parts 1313 ride onthe upper surface of thetrack 12, as will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. .4. 7

It may here be pointed out that the track or channel bar 12 protects theentire threaded section of the shaft fromsoot or ashes dropbers 2222which are themselves securedrigidly to two sleeves 2323 which extendinto the boiler tubes 4. Each of the brackets 22' includes a curvedpiece 24, which is welded or otherwise permanently securedlto itsIQSPGC":

tive sleeve 23. Each sleeve has a tapered split extending longitudinallythereof and the sleeve is secured in one ofthe boiler tubes 4 by drivinga wedge 25, Fig. 3,,into the split in; the tube and thus expandingfthesleeve firmly into engagement with the wallv of the tube. While theseparts secure the brackets permanently to the-boiler they can,nevertheless, be removed by driving out the wedge 25.

This arrangement greatly reduces thetime, labor,,and expense. involvedin installing the cleaner: in a boiler.

r In addition to supporting the track the sleeves 2323 may also be madeto support part, atleast, of the weight, of the pipe connections 8 whichconduct steam to the nozzle head. Anarrangement suitable for thispurposeis shown in the drawings. It comprises twoangle bars 2626.'boltedor riveted at their lower ends to the. respective brackets 2;1-21 andsecuredat'their upper ends to a fitting 27, Fig. 2, which forms part ofthe pipe connections. The nature ofthe jointed'sections immediatelyadjacent to. the fitting 27 is such that the steam line may be ledin-tothe smoke box either through the rent wall of said box or through thesidewall.

Inusing the cleaner the workman first opens the valve controlling theadmission of steam to the pipe connections 8 and then .by

pulling on, the chain 19 'he revolves theshaft 14 and thustraverses thenozzle head 6 across the ends of the tubes 4. i As the nozzles come.into line with the vertical rows of tubes they direct steam through thetubes, thus blowing the soot andv ash out of them. When the head reachesthe limit of its traverse in one direction the workman then reverses therotation oftheshaft 14, thus reversing the direction of traverse. V Thenozzle head 6.is equipped with apivoted tip 28 whichnormally is heldsubstantially in alinement with the nozzle by -sprin, ;s 29, but whichswings when it strikes thersid e' ofthe boilercasing to permit thecleaning of all of the tubes in the tube sheet, 7 asexplainedmorefullyin my earlier patent above designated.

The jets of steam issuingfrom the. nozzle 7 create a certain amount ofback pressure tending to swing the nozzle head 6 on the track 12 in aclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2. In order to support the headagainst this tendency, the carriage is provided with a lug 30, Figs. 2and 4, which engages the inner surface of one flange of the channel bar12 and cooperates with the parts 13,13 to grip the track and thusprevent any substantial swinging movement of thenozzle head. In additionto' this arrangement it is sometimes preferable, particularly in boilersof large diameter, to install a thrust bar 31, Figs. 1, 2 and 6, whereit will back up the lower part of the nozzle head as the head movesbackward andforward across-the tube sheet. This bar 31 may convenientlyconsist of. an angle iron and may be secured in place by brackets 32-32,Fig. 1, bolted to the casing.

As above stated, the installation expense is substantially reduced bythe peculiar mounting shown and described. It should also be noted thatthe sleeves 23 do not obstruct the tubes in which they are located toany substantial degree'and these tubes, as:

well as the others, are cleaned effectually by the jets of. steam. Thechannelbar 12 sheds the ash a'ndlsoot and afiiords protection both forthe screw threaded section of the shaft 14 and also for the nut 16. Theconstruction of' these parts-is such that: the manufacturing operationsmay be performed very economically. The cleaner may be used in a greatvariety of sizes and makes of fire tube boilers, suitable changes beingmade in the design to adapt it to. the requirements of individualinstallations.

hile I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it

will be understood that the invention may be,

embodied in a considerable variety of forms without departing from thespirit orscope thereof. v

Having, thus described my invention, what I'desire to claim asv new is:

1.- In a fire tube boiler, the combination of atube sheet and tubessupported therein, of

a-tube cleaner,- andsupporting means forsaid cleaner comprising devicespermanently-anchored in. certain of the boiler tubes,- said devisesbeing so constructed and arranged as to leave the last mentioned tubesopen for the cleaning operation. i

2. In a fire tube boiler, the combination of I a tube sheet and tubes.supported therein, of

a tube cleaner, brackets for supporting said cleaner, and devicesanchored incertain of the :boiler tubes and serving tosupport saidbrackets,- said idevices being so constructed and arranged. as to leavethe last mentioned tubes open for the cleaning operation.

' 3. Ina fire tube boiler, the combination. of a .tube'sheet/and tubessupported therein, of

'aitube cleaner. comprising .amovable. head carrylng. one or morenozzles fOrQdirecting iets of steam into the boiler tubes, connectionsfor conducting. steam to said head, and means anchored in the boilertubes for supporting said cleaner, said means being so constructed andarranged as to leave the last mentioned tubes open for the cleaningoperation.

4:. A construction according to preceding claim 3 characterized by thefact that said supporting means includes a split sleeve extending into aboiler tube, and means for expanding said sleeve into firm engagementwith the wall of said tube.

5. A construction according to preceding claim 3 characterized by thefact that said supporting means includes a split sleeve extending into aboiler tube, and a wedge driven into the split in said sleeve forexpanding said sleeve into firm engagement with the wall of said tube.

6. In a fire tube boiler, the combination of a tube sheet and tubessupported therein, of a tube cleaner comprising a movable head carryinga plurality of nozzles for directing jets of steam into the boilertubes, connections for conducting steam to said head, a track on whichsaid head is supported for movement, means for traversing said head onsaid track to carry said nozzles across the ends of said tubes, andmeans including devices anchored in the boiler tubes for supporting saidtrack, said devices being so constructed and arranged as to leave thelast mentioned tubes open for the cleaning operation.

7. In a fire tube boiler, the combination of a tube sheet and tubessupported therein, of a tube cleaner comprising a movable head carryinga plurality of nozzles for directing jets of steam into the boilertubes, connections for conducting steam to said head, a track, acarriagemounted on said track and supporting said head for traversingmovement, means for traversing said carriage on said track, and meansincluding devices anchored in the boiler tubes for supporting saidtrack, said devices being so constructed and arranged as to leave thelast mentioned tubes open for the cleaning operation.

8. In a boiler, a tube cleaner comprising the combination of a nozzlehead, a carriage supporting said head, means 'for conducting 10. Aboiler tube cleaner according toprek ceding claim 8 in which thecarriage includes removable side pieces for running on'the track andsaid screw threaded block is removably mounted on said carriage.

11. In a fire tube boiler, the combination with a boiler tube, of asupporting device comprising a sleeve extending into said tube, andmeans for expanding said sleeve into firm engagement with the wall ofthe tube while leaving a substantial part of the diameter of the tubeopen for the passage of gases therethrough. v

12. In a fire tube boiler, the combination with a boiler tube, of asupporting device comprising a split sleeve extending into said tube,and a wedge driven into the split in said sleeve and serving to expandthe sleeve into firm engagement with the wall of the tube.

13. In a fire tube boiler, the combination with a boiler tube, of asupporting device comprising a bracket, a split sleeve on which saidbracket is mounted, said sleeve extending into a boiler tube, and awedge driven into the split in said sleeve and serving to expand thesleeve into firm engagement with the wall of the tube. I

14:. In a fire tube boiler, the combination of a tube sheet and tubessupported therein, of a tube cleaner, and means for supporting saidcleaner permanently in position to operate on a series of said tubes,said means including supporting devices permanently anchored in certainof the boiler tubes, said devices being so constructed and arranged asto leave the last mentioned tubes open for the cleaning operation. FRANKH. COLE.

steam to said head, a screw threaded shaft CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,877,267. September 13, 1932.

FRANK H. COLE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,line 43, for the misspelled word "rout" read front; page 3, line 32,claim 6, after "track" and before the comma insert the wordspermanentlyin its operative position; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with these corrections therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of November, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

